Document Security Alliance Issues Recommendations for Driver License Security and the REAL ID Act.

WASHINGTON -- Public/Private Alliance Recommends Comprehensive Approach Drawing upon Innovations and Best Practices in Driver License and ID Security to Enhance Homeland Security, Combat Counterfeiting and Protect Citizens

The Document Security Alliance (DSA) today released a summary of recommendations it has made to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the upcoming regulations associated with the Real ID Act. The DSA is made up of approximately 70 industry members and representatives from 20 federal government organizations including the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Departments of Homeland Security, Treasury and Transportation, along with the Social Security Administration, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Government Printing Office, that volunteer their time and expertise in addressing document security issues.

The DSA recommendations are based on a comprehensive approach for improving government ID document security and related security procedures that correspond to a set of ID security principles that the Alliance developed in 2004 to provide critical guidance to state and federal issuers of identification documents. These principles, which help protect citizens from the threat of identify theft, criminal or terrorist acts and enhance homeland security, are based on five key elements of a secure ID system:

Data Capture. Obtain the applicant's photograph, demographic information, supporting "breeder" documents (e.g., birth certificates, Social Security cards), a digital signature, and, if necessary, appropriate biometrics (e.g., facial image).

Identification Verification. Authenticate an applicant's credentials and the breeder documents they present, as well as comparing select information against the issuing authority's databases or other records (e.g., Social Security Administration data).

Secure ID Production. Utilize processes and technologies that enable secure central issuance and/or over the counter issuance including controlled access to security features and materials.

Secure ID Credentials. Incorporate an ID card architecture that includes both difficult-to-counterfeit card materials with sophisticated laminating and finishing processes, as well as a number of overt and covert security features.

Authenticating IDs. Verify - without infringing on an individual's personal privacy - the authenticity of a proffered government-issued photo ID, no matter where it was issued, at various points of inspection or transaction - public or private sector (e.g., law enforcement, DMVs, banks or retail).

Based on these ID security principles, DSA recommendations for helping States meet the minimum requirements of the Real ID Act cover:

--Electronic scanning and archiving for document capture, retention and storage

--Electronic verification of applicant information

--2D Barcodes as the standard overt machine-readable technology for carrying data

--Incorporation of new technologies to enable cross-jurisdictional point of inspection human and machine-readable ID authentication (such as barcodes, digital watermarks and optical media)

--Support for current major issuing methods (Over-the-Counter, Central, Hybrid) with security process improvements

--Document durability and performance standards including the use of composite cards, PVC and polyester, polycarbonate, Teslin or other card materials that can meet the performance requirements yet are also compatible with current typical personalization equipment presently being used in secure ID issuance systems

--5-year validity period for identity credentials

--Physical security of materials and facilities

--Training on fraudulent documents and human-verifiable and machine-readable features of credentials

The DSA membership will discuss its Real ID implementation recommendations at the second annual Document Security Alliance Capitol Hill Day event on April 25 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. DSA Capitol Hill Day will feature expert panelists to highlight the critical need for document security to protect American citizens and to educate members of Congress and staff about the DSA as a principal resource for addressing document security challenges.

"The DSA has analyzed the Real ID Act and its impact on the present driver license/ID standards being implemented by North American governmental jurisdictions. Our recommendations are based on the vast range of knowledge and experience of our members to help in the drafting of regulations associated with the Real ID Act and help ID issuers improve the security of their IDs," said David Snodgrass, president, Document Security Alliance.

A summary of the recommendations is available from the DSA's web site at www.documentsecurityalliance.com. A full copy of the report is available to government organizations responsible of ID issuance or security by contacting the DSA at 202-543-5552 or [e-mail].

About the Document Security Alliance

The DSA is a public/private partnership of government agencies and private industry created to identify methods to improve the security of critical documents. Members of the DSA include the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Departments of Treasury, Transportation and Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Government Printing Offices, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and representatives from approximately 70 companies in the secure document industry.

The DSA was created in late 2001 by government agencies, private industry and academia to identify methods to improve security documents and related security procedures in order to help combat the growing use of counterfeit documents in acts of identity theft and fraud, terrorism, illegal purchases of controlled substances and firearms, illegal immigration, and other criminal acts. Recognizing the need to continuously improve document security and the issuance process to combat new and existing threats, the DSA is dedicated to work with and educate those responsible for secure document issuance, distribution and use to improve the security and reliability of ID documents.